Thread: Short Story Accepted! Now What?

Best of luck to you. Keep us posted so that we may cheer you on.

Originally Posted by gagoots

Just an update. I decided to take everyone's advice and go for it. I just found out today that it should be out in early 2012. Thank you, everyone.

And more good news. I met a literary agent, one who works for a big agency, while commuting. She gave me her email address and had me send her the story. And she liked it. Like really liked it. She told me she'd love to see what I can do, novel wise, and to send her something along those lines whenever I am ready. I am beginning to feel that I may be able to make a run at this thing.

Terrific! Taking the first leap is the scariest part, but I'm glad you did it. Meeting the literary agent was a BONUS! Or a happy accident, depending on how you look at it. Either way, you're on your way, & keep that momentum going. Give us a link when it comes out.

Hi gagoots, it's brilliant to hear that you've got a bite, and the agent too! What a day.
I'm impressed by anybody that goes for getting a short story out there, it's a lot of work and in my opinion it's more dicey than novel length publications. I myself have been tempted to have a stab but I'm too much of a coward for that at the moment, but to hear about that's encouraged me. Great to hear that it's paid off.

Originally Posted by gagoots

Just an update. I decided to take everyone's advice and go for it. I just found out today that it should be out in early 2012. Thank you, everyone.

And more good news. I met a literary agent, one who works for a big agency, while commuting. She gave me her email address and had me send her the story. And she liked it. Like really liked it. She told me she'd love to see what I can do, novel wise, and to send her something along those lines whenever I am ready. I am beginning to feel that I may be able to make a run at this thing.

that's my feeling on your question. i'm going to take the 1st 2 accepts i can get, no matter how "token" they may seem.
a couple published pieces and it's time to shop for an agent.

Congratulations. Please let us know when it's out and where we can purchase/read it.

Originally Posted by Bloggsworth

Having ideas rejected was not the problem, it was the sheer waste of time - I worked in an industry where I was often expected to come up with designs within 24 hours, prototyped in a couple of days, tooled up and delivered in 2 to 3 weeks; a touch more complex and involved than reading a poem or short story, so why does it take months to reply to authors or poets? "Send 6 of your best poems and we'll get back to you in 4 to 6 months" - Is it a power thing, or are they procrastinators by nature? If I received an email or letter I would usually deal with it in minutes, if a client phoned me with an enquiry I would be doodling while we spoke.

Would be true except that they are typically inundated, use part-time help to read the slush-pile, and often operate on irregular schedules (at least for the smaller mags).

I had a similar thing happen with one of my stories - I had one accepted (also for a first issue) but they didn't offer any payment (they were listed as a 'pays occasionally'), and I didn't know whether to accept or wait to hear back from one of the biggies. In the end I had the same advice as you - may as well go for it, so I did.

The thing I learnt seems obvious - submit to the big markets first, and then the semi-pro, then the token etc.

And congrats on the agent; I've got a full manuscript out with an agent at the mo with my fingers and toes crossed!

Congrats!
Where can we read your story?

Gagoots, which magazine accepted it, and is this the first story you've sent on the rounds?